THE UK motor industry is "almost certain" to miss its target for cutting carbon dioxide emissions from new cars, a leading green lobby group said.

Friends of the Earth warned that figures due to be published tomorrow are likely to show inadequate progress towards the industry's targets for cutting greenhouse gases.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is set to publish new data on carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold in 2005.

But slow progress on producing cleaner vehicles is expected and the motor industry is set to miss its 2008 target for reducing emissions.